Thursday, February 26, 2009

In Tough Times, Resorts Are Again Courting the Spring Break Crowd
Travelers who want to avoid the spring break crowd might consider Acapulco, which has dropped off the party circuit this year. Bookings are down about 20 percent from last year’s, partly because of relatively high flight costs, according to StudentCity.com. By contrast, bookings are up about 10 percent to CancĂșn and 20 percent to Jamaica.
AirTran Airways Launches New Service to Cancun, Mexico
ORLANDO, Fla., Feb. 25 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ -- AirTran Airways, a subsidiary of AirTran Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: AAI), today launched daily nonstop flights from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in Atlanta, Ga., to Cancun Airport International in Cancun, Mexico.

"AirTran Airways is thrilled to be offering daily service to Cancun from Atlanta. This new service will provide low fares and easier access to this popular vacation destination just in time for Spring Break," said Tad Hutcheson, vice president of marketing and sales for AirTran Airways. "We are committed to providing our customers with high quality service, including low-fare travel options to the destinations they prefer."

Monday, February 23, 2009

Cancun: Taste of Mex without the Tex
David Whitley turns his back on the Cancun scene in favour of authentic dishes downtown.

WHAT Downtown restaurants and cafes

WHERE Cancun, Mexico

HOW MUCH From$2 to $25, depending on what and where you eat.

WHY Cancun has a hybrid personality and many travellers see only one side. The Zona Hotelera - a long, seaside strip crammed with giant hotels, nightclubs, bars and restaurants - is the big drawcard and many visitors never leave the area. But the Canny Traveller does when it comes to getting a good feed.

There are good upmarket restaurants in the Zona Hotelera but most eateries tend to be ubiquitous hotel buffets or huge Americanised bar/diners that put more effort into their merchandising than your food.

If you're not all that bothered about buying a Senor Frog's T-shirt or an Outback Steakhouse cap, it's best to make your way downtown.

It would be wrong to give the impression that Downtown Cancun is a classic example of authentic Mexico - after all, the city didn't really exist until the tourism planners arrived in the 1960s - but it's a lot less touristy.
Spring break still goin' strong
Beaches: Jamaica and, in Mexico, Cancun and Acapulco are top destinations, according to Patrick Evans of STA Travel. About 30,000 revelers are expected to visit Cancun this year, about the same number as last year.

In the United States, Panama City Beach, Fla., remains a top destination for the college crowd, according to Jason Chute, director of operations for StudentCity.com. Once again the beach hosts mtvU's Spring Break party March 8-21.
Mexico plans to increase its allure for tourists everywhere
Mexico largely through its government-sponsored tourism arm along with private developers has dramatically changed the face of tourism in that country.

While largely rural and still significantly dependent on oil revenues, the country's No. 2 economic engine is tourism, mainly through the development of a number of coastal luxury resorts.

Mexico brings in millions of visitors each year. While other nations are suffering from a tourism decline, Mexico's total was up about 8 percent the first half of 2008. The country is expected to be the second fastest-growing tourist destination in the world within a few years.

The agency behind the development of these resorts is Fonatur, Mexico's national trust for tourism promotion. Created 35 years ago, Fonatur was designed to promote new projects and raise the necessary capital for them.

The country's economy has been well-rewarded. Five of Mexico's top beach resorts that have been initiated by Fonatur Cancun, Ixtapa, Los Cabos, Loreto and the Bays of Huatulco have created thousands of jobs, bringing in more than half of the foreign tourist dollars to the country.

Friday, February 20, 2009

Top five bargain destinations for spring 2009
New air service, great deals on packages, and a favorable exchange rate makes Mexico a bargain hunters' dream this spring.

New and upcoming service puts Mexico within easy reach from more departure points around the U.S. and helps travelers maximize their vacation time. Aeromexico just started new Mexico City nonstop service from San Francisco and will begin service from Denver in early March. JetBlue started daily service between Tampa and Cancun and Saturday flights between Cancun and Washington Dulles in December, and plans to launch daily nonstop service between Ft Lauderdale and Cancun starting in June, with airfare from $71 each way.

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Mexicana Airlines fare sale from $139
Mexicana Airlines just announced an irresistible fare sale starting from just $139 round trip. Escape to popular destinations like Acapulco, Cabo San Lucas, Cancun, Mexico City and many more for travel through April 30.

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

The Spectrum Online: Toes in the sand
Sunshine, stiff drinks and miles of open coastline await travelers looking to escape brisk winds and frozen sidewalks this spring break. Students looking for the best way to battle the lion's roar next month can trek south of the border to thaw out their body, mind and adventurous spirit.

Cancun, Mexico has been a college favorite for years with its gorgeous Caribbean waters on the country's tropical Yucatan Peninsula. Avid travelers will find familiar territory, but those heading south of the Tropic of Cancer for the first time will receive the most unforgettable experience.

Friday, February 13, 2009

Cancun and the Riviera Maya or Cabo and the Mexican Riviera?
ThereArePlaces announced today the launch of the 2009 edition of its online travel guide to the best places to visit in Mexico, a county that is widely considered one of the leading travel destinations in the world. The Mexico Guide is focused on describing the leading destinations along the country’s Caribbean and Pacific coasts. It provides details for visiting Mexico’s Caribbean coast including detailed coverage of Cancun, Chichen Itza, Cozumel, the Riviera Maya and the Mayan ruins of Tulum and Coba. On the Pacific coast, the coverage is focused on the breathtaking Mexican Riviera, including, Ensenada, Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta, Ixtapa – Zihuatanejo and Acapulco. The lavishly illustrated guide includes detailed, purpose-built maps to help explore Mexico’s coasts.

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Spring break airfares decreasing
The lower fares come as the number of U.S. airline passengers is projected to fall 6.6 percent in 2009 compared with 2008, according to a forecast by Boyd Group International, an Evergreen, Colo.-based aviation consulting firm.

The fluctuation in fares from Atlanta varies significantly, however. Spring break fares from Atlanta to West Palm Beach are down 21 percent and fares from Atlanta to Cancun are down 20 percent compared with last year. But fares from Atlanta to Nassau in the Bahamas are up 3 percent.


Thursday, February 5, 2009

JetBlue Puts New Flights from Fort Lauderdale to Cancun and Santo Domingo on Sale
Low fares start at $71(a) to Cancun and $99(b) to Santo Domingo - - Every flight comes with free snacks, seatback entertainment, and great service - FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Feb. 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- JetBlue Airways (Nasdaq: JBLU) will add two new international routes from its Fort Lauderdale focus city this June to Cancun, Mexico, and Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, subject to receipt of government operating authority. The customer-friendly airline will offer daily nonstop service to both cities beginning June 18, with low fares starting at just $71(a) each way to Cancun and $99(b) each way to Santo Domingo.